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  Method and integrated circuit for use by a handheld multiple function deviceUSPTO Application #: 20060190199Title: Method and integrated circuit for use by a handheld multiple function device Abstract: A method for efficient battery use begins by monitoring at least one output of the handheld device for an overload condition. The processing continues by monitoring a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition. The process continues by monitoring voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition. The processing then continues by enabling one of a plurality of fail-safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and/or the battery low voltage condition are detected. (end of abstract) Agent: Garlick Harrison & Markison - Austin, TX, US Inventors: Marcus W. May, Daniel P. Mulligan, Matthew Brady Henson USPTO Applicaton #: 20060190199 - Class: 702063000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, Or Testing, Measurement System In A Specific Environment, Electrical Signal Parameter Measurement System, Power Parameter, Battery Monitoring The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060190199. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This patent is claiming priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e) to provisionally filed patent application entitled MULTI-FUNCTION HANDHELD DEVICE, having a provisional serial No. of 60/429,941 and a provisional filing date of Nov. 29, 2002. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to portable electronic equipment and more particularly to efficient powering of such devices. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] As is known, integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of electronic equipment, including portable, or handheld, devices. Such handheld devices include personal digital assistants (PDA), CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, AM/FM radio, a pager, cellular telephones, computer memory extension (commonly referred to as a thumb drive), etc. Each of these handheld devices include one or more integrated circuits to provide the functionality of the device. For example, a thumb drive may include an integrated circuit for interfacing with a computer (e.g., personal computer, laptop, server, workstation, etc.) via one of the ports of the computer (e.g., Universal Serial Bus, parallel port, etc.) and at least one other memory integrated circuit (e.g., flash memory). As such, when the thumb drive is coupled to a computer, data can be read from and written to the memory of the thumb drive. Accordingly, a user may store personalized information (e.g., presentations, Internet access account information, etc.) on his/her thumb drive and use any computer to access the information. [0006] As another example, an MP3 player may include multiple integrated circuits to support the storage and playback of digitally formatted audio (i.e., formatted in accordance with the MP3 specification). As is known, one integrated circuit may be used for interfacing with a computer, another integrated circuit for generating a power supply voltage, another for processing the storage and/or playback of the digitally formatted audio data, and still another for rendering the playback of the digitally formatted audio data audible. [0007] Integrated circuits have enabled the creation of a plethora of handheld devices, however, to be "wired" in today's electronic world, a person needs to posses multiple handheld devices. For example, one may own a cellular telephone for cellular telephone service, a PDA for scheduling, address book, etc., one or more thumb drives for extended memory functionality, an MP3 player for storage and/or playback of digitally recorded music, a radio, etc. Thus, even though a single handheld device may be relatively small, carrying multiple handheld devices on one's person can become quite burdensome. [0008] A vital concern with every battery powered handheld device is its battery life (i.e., how long the handheld device will run before the battery has to be replaced). There are two primary components to extending the battery life of a handheld device: one is to minimize power consumption and the other is to use the battery to its fullest capacity. Most of the efforts to date with respect to battery life have been focused on reducing power consumption. While this is extremely important, using the battery to its fullest extent is becoming more critical and getting some attention. [0009] Current techniques to use the battery to its fullest extent safely (i.e., shutting down the handheld device in a safe manner when the battery is consumed) monitor the battery voltage. When the battery voltage drops below a threshold, the handheld device is shutdown by storing current user settings et cetera such that when the battery is replaced, the handheld device comes up in a known manner and, if desired, where it left off just before the battery was replaced. If the handheld device is not shutdown in a known manner when the battery voltage drops below the threshold, the software of the handheld device may lock-up causing the handheld device to require service. [0010] While monitoring the battery voltage does provide a safe shutdown mechanism extending the usefulness of a battery, it does not enable the battery to be used to its fullest extent, nor does it distinguish the possible reasons as to why the battery voltage dropped. [0011] Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that maximizes battery life based on operating conditions of a battery powered handheld device. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The method and apparatus for efficient battery use by a handheld multifunction device of the present invention substantially meets these needs and others. In one embodiment, a method for efficient battery use begins by monitoring at least one output of the handheld device for an overload condition. For example, the headphone jack output may be monitored for an overload condition, which may be caused by an improper installation of a headphone, a short, et cetera. The processing continues by monitoring a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition. For example, based on the power requirements to be sourced by the DC-to-DC converter, the DC-to-DC converter is overloaded such that its output voltage is drooping. The process continues by monitoring voltage of the, battery for a battery low voltage condition. For example, the battery voltage may be monitored for falling below a threshold, which may result from extended use or failing to make adequate electrical contact with the terminals of the handheld device. The processing then continues by enabling one of a plurality of fail-safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and/or the battery low voltage condition are detected. With such a method, and/or apparatus incorporating such a method, the battery life of a handheld device may be taken to its fullest extent and just before the battery has insufficient power to power the handheld device, the handheld device is partially or fully shutdown in a safe manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multifunction handheld device in accordance with the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another multifunction handheld device in accordance with the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit for use in a multifunction handheld device in accordance with the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another integrated circuit for use in a multifunction handheld device in accordance with the present invention; [0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the handheld device providing efficient battery use in accordance with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 6 is a graph plotting battery consumption versus battery voltage; [0019] FIG. 7 is a graph plotting supply voltage versus power consumption for CMOS integrated circuits; [0020] FIG. 8 is a logic diagram of a method for efficient battery use by a handheld device in accordance with the present invention; and [0021] FIGS. 9-12 are logic diagrams regarding the plurality of fail-safe algorithms that may be performed in accordance with the method of FIG. 8. 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